Minister Gooding-Edghill disclosed that he spent his vacation days in Saint Lucia for the 2024 Jazz and was heartened by the regional turnout.

The regional Tourism Minister highlighted the robust cast of performers in the line-up which encouraged him to attend the event.

“The headline cast is excellent. For me, that’s why I decided to take a couple of days off and come here to enjoy the Jazz Fest.”

These celebrations, he says, continue bringing Caribbean citizens together.

“It’s good for the Caribbean region - it’s an opportunity for brothers and sisters within CARICOM and beyond CARICOM to come and indulge in what you have to offer here,” he said.

He emphasises that the blending of diverse peoples and cultures fosters stronger ties across the region, benefiting society as a whole, from the grassroots level to broader communities.

“We have a lot to offer in the Caribbean. and it’s an opportunity to allow different cultures to meet and celebrate. I came down on the flight and the flight was full and I was very pleased to see Barbadians traveling to Saint Lucia to celebrate with you,” he said.

He underscores that beyond regional integration, Caribbean nations have the potential to achieve significant economic growth as residents travel and participate in local markets, stimulating commerce and trade.

“And if we take this in a wider context, it’s an opportunity for each of our economies in the region to benefit. As for me, I went to Gros Islet, the Castries Market and took in some of the sights.”